Marcos says nothing he can do to stop impeachment complaint
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. —MALACAÑANG PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said there is nothing he can do to stop Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case from moving forward since it was already filed.
In a Palace briefing on Thursday, Marcos was asked if he had any plans to ask lawmakers to scrap the impeachment case, as it might affect the other duties of Senators.
READ: Marcos denies hand in House impeachment of VP Duterte
He responded, “The Senate has no choice; the House has no choice. They have to do this now. Once the impeachment complaint was filed, tumakbo na ang proseso.”
Article continues after this advertisement“And if they do not carry out the process, they are delinquent in their duties,” he also said.
Article continues after this advertisement“Making a request won’t change anything. They still have to have the trial,” Marcos also said.
Asked whether Duterte’s impeachment will have an effect on the country’s economy, Marcos said, “I doubt… hindi naman siguro, wala ako makikitang effect basta’t patuloy lahat ng ating pinaplano, lahat ng ating mga strategy tungkol sa investment, tungkol sa mga bagong structural changes na lagi kong pinaguusapan, ‘yun lang naman ang tinitingnan ng investor.”
(I doubt it… probably not. I don’t think there will be any effect as long as we continue with all our plans, all our strategies regarding investments, and the new structural changes that I always talk about. That’s the only thing investors look at.)
“I don’t think it will have an effect,” he added.
In the same briefing, Marcos also said he is open to calling a special session in the Senate for Duterte’s impeachment case if they request it.
“If the senators ask for this, yes,” he said.
“Again, sila ang nagddecide. Hindi kami ang nagddecide nito (Again, they decide. We did not decide this),” Marcos added.
“If the Senate president calls me up and says, ‘Kinausap ko ‘yung mga senators kung pwede ba mag special session.’ Sure, gagawin ko. Pero kung silang request na ganun, ibig sabihin may iba pa silang ginagawa, they’re not yet ready (I spoke to the senators about whether we can have a special session. Sure, I will. But if they request like that, it means they are doing something else; they’re not yet ready),” he continued.
READ: Marcos on VP Duterte impeachment: I told my son, ‘do your duty’
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on Wednesday after 215 lawmakers signed and endorsed the fourth impeachment complaint against her.
Presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos was the first to affix his signature, while House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was the last to sign.
